Mainteneance

Anybody do their own maintenance? I spend an hour here and there doing things on rain days. I spent an hour in Dec. or Jan.packing bearings, pressing bearing races, and seals, then, I was supposed to spend an hour the other day installing the hubs and brakes. Since AZ sold me the wrong parts, it took over an hour to locate and get the correct outer set.

I farm this work out when I don't have time. Most any automotive work is simpler than roofing, so it's a fun way to spend rainy days. Since I have a welder, torches, air wrenches, many specialty tools and near full service shop, it's just fun. I've even rebuilt motors and I often do motor switces in the shop if the issue isn't pressed for time. We even rebuilt a truck my brother flipped over in one weekend since I was keeping frames, motors, tranny's, doors, cabs, etc. in the shop. A junk yard guy down the street was selling me whole trucks to strip for $75. at one time. :)

Having been raised on a farm, I was introduced to the wonders of mechanical devices and the repairs thereof at an early age. I developed the talent of being able disassemble whatever I put my hand to. However, I never did quite master the art of putting it all back together without having some parts left over. :laugh:

During our snowplowing years, out of necessity I turned many a wrench whilst laying in the middle of the snow and slush covered street or parking lot, under an uncooperative or broken plow truck, using every skill, technique and (blue colored) word to coax a few more hours of use to finish the work at hand.

I still do my own oil changes, but with the lack of the heated shop and wisdom gained as to the value of time, I defer to the professionals for all other service for our vehicles.

It's difficult to beat a man at his own game. . . .

OS :laugh:

Once upon a time I thought maybe I'd like to learn enough to be considered good at wrenchin. I'm still young and have decided to spend my time learning ANYTHING else. I'm paying a buddy $20/hr to work on our trucks, it's money well spent.

One thing I expect we can all do: plug a flat tire B)